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Microwave convection ovens combine microwave oven features with those of a convection oven. These innovative kitchen appliances can roast, bake, and crisp items, and the usual features of the standard microwave oven - reheating meals, defrosting frozen foods, and boiling liquids.
Microwave convection ovens are a great option if you are short on space. It gives you the flexibility of having two types of ovens, thus eliminating the need to install both a microwave and a convection oven.
A microwave convection oven can be used in a kitchen in a house or an apartment, trailer home, RV, or camper.
We created a buyer’s guide to use as a resource when you search for the right convection microwave oven for your culinary needs to decide which features are important to you.
Our reviews will give you a head start in finding the right oven for your kitchen. Here are summaries of the best convection microwaves on the market.
What are the Best Convection Microwave Ovens?
Toshiba EC042A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Convection Smart Sensor
Toshiba has one of the highest reputations in the world for manufacturing high-spec electrical and electronic products. They are becoming more well-known for their high-quality kitchen equipment.
The EC042A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Convection Function is one such example.
In addition to the array of features offered, its stunning stainless steel design means it also adds a touch of class to any kitchen.
What We Like
There's nothing more frustrating than having something come out of the oven cooked to perfection, but you cannot serve it up immediately for whatever reason. This is why we love this microwave's 'Warm Hold' function, as you can cook food in advance and keep it at precisely the correct serving temperature until it’s time to go onto the plate.
The smart sensor cooking with 13 auto menus helps you cook your food as near perfection as possible, as do the pre-programmed settings.
The auto bake and auto roast menus enable you to prepare various meals.
What is Not Ideal
While microwave ovens are relatively simple, you still need an instruction booklet as each one will have different functions and controls. This has one, but it doesn't explain each function and is so poorly written that it could confuse users.
Although this oven isn't all that large, it is recommended that you have a 3" clearance on the right side and in the rear of the unit. If you are short on counter space, this one might not be the best choice.
Consumers have commented that this oven is noisy.
Product Highlights
We'll start with the overall design of this Toshiba microwave which has a very appealing combination of stainless steel and black throughout.
While this might be considered suitable only for modern kitchens, that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. This will look great in kitchens of all types, including traditional kitchens with wooden fronts and kitchens where white is the predominant color.
It has a maximum power output of 1000 watts which should be sufficient for almost all cooking scenarios.
With an interior of 1.5 cubic feet, it certainly has a sufficiently sized interior for larger items to be cooked in it, such as whole chickens or pots of stew. It's exterior dimensions are: 21.8"x21.5"x 13.0" (WxDxH).
When it comes to your options for cooking settings and controls, convection microwave ovens excel. The smart sensor cooking with 13 auto menus means you no longer have to guess the optimal times and power settings for cooking. Instead, this microwave oven's sensors identify the humidity level within the item that is cooking and automatically adjust the level.
Your options when cooking includes up to 10 different power settings and setting the timer using the large LED display. There are one-touch options for pre-programmed settings for foods such as pizza, potatoes, vegetables, and popcorn.
The four auto bake menus and four auto roast menus expand the range of cooking possibilities using this Toshiba microwave with Convection Smart Sensor. For example, you can make muffins, french fries, cookies, turkey breast, and beef roasts.
If you have cooked something but are not yet ready to serve it, you can use the oven's 'Warm Hold' function. This keeps items warm for up to 99 minutes, and when you remove your food to serve, it will be at precisely the right temperature.
With all the cooking you are bound to do with this convection microwave oven, it almost certainly needs regular cleaning. Thanks to the stainless steel interior, this should not be a chore since it only requires a wipe with a damp cloth to stay clean.
This Toshiba convection microwave is rust and scratch-resistant, so it should stay as good as new for the lifetime of the oven.
The final feature we wish to point out is Toshiba's 'Echo-Mode.' You can select this when the microwave oven is on standby, reducing its power consumption by 50%. This lowers your power costs, but it helps you do your bit for the environment too.
Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a sleek, compact unit that offers multipurpose cooking technology.
It has exterior dimensions of 22” x 17” x 13.4” (WxDxH). The interior has a 14" turntable and can hold a 9”x13” baking dish.
This 1000 Watt countertop oven is user-friendly and has 20 automatic pre-set options: turbo defrost, one-touch reheat, and Quick 30 (1 touch to add 30 seconds).
What We Like
The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 has 20 automatic pre-set options and a child lock.
If you live in an apartment that doesn’t have a stove or in a tiny house or apartment, this is a great alternative since you can use four cooking methods in one appliance. The air fryer provides the capability to cook foods with little or no oil.
Since the unit is only 1.2 Cu. Ft, this can fit in kitchens that don’t have a lot of counter space. If you buy the trim kit, it can also be installed as built-in (NN-TK81KCS).
What is Not Ideal
The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is expensive. However, if you would use the air fryer, broiler, and convection features, it might be worth the extra expense. It is easy to use and clean and is cost-efficient if you like to prepare various meals.
Some consumers have complained this model is noisy.
Product Highlights
The Panasonic Home Chef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven features four functions: microwave, broiler, air fryer, and convection oven. These four cooking options can be selected individually, or you can choose the convection plus microwave and broil plus microwave combination. This gives you the option of preparing fast and nutritious snacks and meals.
Microwave
The microwave function has Panasonic’s patented Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor Technology that can be used to cook, defrost, and reheat food.
The microwave function can cook, defrost, and reheat food. This model has the Inverted and Genius Sensor Technology plus 20 automatic cook menu presets. You can keep food warm for 30 minutes after cooking. The keep-warm feature can be set as a final stage after entering the cooking time. However, it can’t be used with all auto programs.
Air Fryer
The air fryer feature is selected if you want to prepare healthy snacks and meals with little to no oil. Air frying works by circulating hot air around the food.
You can prepare chicken wings and nuggets, French fries, and kale chips. An air fryer basket, wire rack, and enamel tray are included.
FlashXpress Broiler
The FlashXpress Broiler is a way to use the two technologies, microwave, and broil, simultaneously. A wire rack is included with the oven. This rack is placed close to the infrared grilling element. The broiler can also be used to toast bread, although it is time-consuming since you must turn it over three times.
Convection Oven
Another great feature of this oven is the convection function can be used for baking and roasting. The NN-CD87KS could be used as a main or a second oven. There is a choice of two convection temperature settings: 100°F and 215°F - 425°F.
Breville BMO870BSS1BUC1 Combi Wave 3 in 1
The Breville BMO870 Combi Wave 3 in 1 combines a microwave, convection oven, and air fryer into one appliance. This countertop oven is 1.1 Cu.Ft. with a brushed stainless steel exterior and a stainless steel interior with no Teflon™.
The convenient presets and shortcut panel makes food preparation easier. A BIT MORE™ button can be used if the cooking time has expired and the food is not entirely cooked or hot enough. Another feature allows the cook to turn off the turntable rotation while food is cooking in the microwave.
What We Like
- Convenient cooking shortcuts
- Easy to use
- Quieter operation than other microwaves
- Can mute sound or change beep volume
What is Not Ideal
- The heating and defrosting evenness are average.
- This unit does not have a sensor that automatically controls the cooking and reheating time.
- Hard to clean grease from interior
Product Highlights
The Breville Combi Wave™ has many functions, shortcuts, and settings. Food or liquid can be heated at 100% power for 30 seconds by pressing the Start/+30 button.
This model is equipped with a Power Smoothing Inverter that changes the power slowly instead of coming on and going off suddenly.
The Breville Combi Wave™ also has Element IQ®, which transfers heat, so the food is cooked quickly and evenly. The heating elements distribute heat based on the function or preset selected.
This unit is manufactured in China.
A downloadable recipe book is available on this model's Breville USA website product page.
Fast Combi: The FAST COMBI setting combines a convection oven, grilling, and microwave to cook your food faster than a traditional oven. Food can be placed in the Combi Crisp pan or your pan.
Cook From Frozen: The FROM FROZEN function uses the convection oven, grill, and microwave at different cooking stages. Different types of meat can be cooked, from frozen to wholly cooked.
Breville recommends seasoning and marinating the meat before freezing if you plan to use this function.
Air Fryer: Once the AIRFRY button is pressed, a message on the LCD screen will say, “Air fryer will preheat and insert pan.” The Combi Crisp pan should be used with the legs extended for the preheating and heating cycles. An air fry mesh basket should not be used.
The cooking time can be set from 1 to 60 minutes, and the cooking temperature can be set from 400°F to 450°F. Once the three-minute preheating cycle is completed, the food can be placed on the pan in a single layer. Press START to continue heating.
Oven: The OVEN function cooks food using convection. The heating element and fan distribute heat. The oven-safe dish with the food can be placed on the turntable or the trivet.
The cooking time can be set from 1 to 120 minutes, and the temperature range is 100°F to 450°F. Food can be inserted after the microwave oven is finished preheating (an alert tone will sound).
Microwave: The MICROWAVE feature is the default function. It operates as a regular microwave when the power level and time are set. The cooking time is from 1 second to 95 minutes, and the power level can be adjusted from 10% to 100%.
The power output for the microwave function of the Breville® BMO870 Combi Wave™ is 1100 watts.
Food menu: After pressing the FOOD MENU function, select either
Smart Cook, Smart Reheat, or Smart Defrost. Then choose from the list of foods that appear on the LCD screen. Then use the ADJUST dial to set the quantity or weight and the START to begin cooking.
Shortcuts
The shortcuts panel is on the inside door frame of the Combi Wave 3 in 1. It can be used for grilling, keeping warm, melting chocolate, softening butter, and popping popcorn.
There are also buttons to set the child lock and the clock. The UNIT button can change weight units from ounces to grams and temperature Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C).
The shortcut panel also has three buttons to control the beeping sound.
There are two choices for the sound itself – new or traditional. Although, by default, the microwave will play the new sound, it can be changed to the conventional sound. The other two buttons can mute the sound or reduce the beep volume.
A trivet and the Combi Crispi pan are included with the oven. The pan can be used with the legs extended or placed flat on the turntable. Foods should be placed directly in the pan (no plates or dishes in the pan). A few foods that can be cooked in this pan are a10-inch pizza, chicken nuggets, or French fries. If you want to grill chicken, the legs on the pan should be extended.
The trivet is used when using the Smart Reheat and convection functions for baking. You’ll want to turn off the turntable.
Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cu Ft Convection Microwave Oven with Grill
The Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave Oven with Grill design sets itself apart from many other microwaves, and we are sure that it will grace any kitchen.
What We Like
While this is a versatile oven with lots of functions, the one that stands out for us is its multi-stage cooking functions.
The fact that you can set this microwave oven to cook items in three different stages makes using it easier than if you had to stop-start every time. It adds a ton of convenience and saves a lot of time.
There are many cooking functions, nine presets, and convection bake and roast so you can cook a variety of foods.
What is Not Ideal
All microwave ovens have mesh in the door glass, as does this one. However, in most of them, the holes in the mesh are sufficiently sized and spaced so that you can check on what's cooking inside.
That is not the case with this Cuisinart microwave, where it is next to impossible to see through the mesh to check your food.
Product Highlights
The brushed stainless steel finish is somewhat unique as you typically see standard stainless steel exteriors on a microwave.
The exterior dimensions are: 20.4"x18.9"x12.4" (WXDXH).
This 1000 Watt oven has an interior space of 1.2 cubic feet. This should be enough to cook some of the larger food items you may choose to cook.
While we focus on the interior, we should point out that it is also stainless steel, meaning that cleaning should be easy and that odors should not be present as stainless steel does not absorb them.
You have cooking options aplenty, which applies to the number of automatic cooking functions and the types of cooking you can employ with this microwave oven.
There are ten power levels and nine preset options for specific foods: pizza, cake, roast chicken, vegetables (fresh or frozen), potatoes, popcorn, and beverages. Choose your preset, and the oven will adjust its settings automatically to cook each of these to near perfection.
You have two defrost options that allow you to defrost frozen food, either by the length of time or by its weight. This ensures that the food is defrosted correctly.
One of the most impressive features this Cuisinart convection microwave oven has is ‘Multi-Stage’ cooking. This allows you to program the oven to switch between 3 different cooking modes as an item is cooking.
An example of this would be a frozen shepherd's pie with cheese topping. You could set the program to defrost, then cook it, and then grill its topping so that it crisps slightly and the cheese melts.
As for convection cooking, you have multiple options here too. This oven can bake or roast, which means you can cook everything from Madeira cake to roast lamb. There is also a grill function that expands the possibilities of what you can cook with this oven to even greater numbers.
With all these functions, you might fear that operating this microwave oven would be difficult, but nothing could be further from the truth. The control panel is well laid out, and the text on the buttons is clear. Most of the functions are one-touch, and the LCD shows you precisely what you have selected along with the countdown timer when you start.
Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
There are many microwave ovens, including those with convection functions, that only give you the option to use the turntable when cooking.
While this may suffice most of the time, it is not always ideal for baking or roasting. This Sharp microwave is designed so you can turn off the turntable, remove it, and use either a low or high rack.
The smart sensor cooking and the convection Auto broil, roast, and baking are welcome functions.
What is Not Ideal
Given that this convection microwave oven could be used in many locations where the lighting may not be ideal, users would hope that the control panel would be backlit. Unfortunately, it is not, and therefore, if you are using this and light levels are poor, you may struggle to see the individual control buttons.
The power output is a little disappointing at just 850 watts, but even at that, it can do just about anything any other microwave could do, although it may take a bit longer.
Product Highlights
This convection microwave oven is designed to be installed above a range instead of sitting on a countertop. In most cases, this installation is straightforward and does not need to be vented as it has a built-in exhaust system. With this being above the range, you will have the advantage that the microwave oven will not reduce the space on your countertop.
Once installed, the oven's design should enhance the look of your kitchen's appearance, given its stainless steel exterior. This should not only blend into most kitchen designs, but it is also easy to clean, so you can keep it looking new for a long time to come.
For cooking, this Sharp convection microwave has a large number of options. First, you have11 different power settings, meaning you can set the microwave to as close to the perfect cooking power for anything you might wish to cook.
The 25 different automatic cooking functions allow you to set it to cook, and the oven will make adjustments to the power and cooking time as necessary. This is achieved thanks to its built-in sensors, which ensure optimal cooking.
These cooking options also work for items you wish to cook using the convection functions. They include the cleverly named 'CompuBroil,' 'CompuRoast,' and 'CompuBake,' where the oven will make automatic adjustments whenever broiling, roasting, or baking.
Its 1.1 cubic foot capacity means it will be big enough inside for some of the larger items you might wish to cook, such as roasts and large bowls of popcorn.
With the interior, you can remove the turntable and instead use either a low or a high rack. This will be useful when baking or cooking meats such as ribs or baking.
The exterior dimensions 29.9"x15.3"x 16.3" (WxDxH).
You will find selecting them easy thanks to the oven's large control panel, which includes a bright LED display of whichever cooking options you plan to use. This makes monitoring cooking times and countdowns easier. However, this would have been even better if the control panel had also been backlit.
Final Thoughts: Convection Microwave Ovens
We trust you found our reviews of the best convection microwave ovens enlightening and that our buyer's guide shed some light on any questions you may have had.
Admittedly all three of the convection microwave ovens we reviewed were different, so choosing the one we thought was best wasn't that easy. Nevertheless, we have chosen the Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cubic-Foot Convection Microwave Oven with Grill as our top choice.
This was mainly due to its vast array of cooking options and functions, which give users the greatest choice in what they can cook with this oven. In particular, we loved the multi-stage cooking option, giving it the edge over the others.
Top-Rated Convection Oven Comparison Chart
Product | Wattage | Capacity | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Toshiba EC042A5C-SS | 1000 | 1.5 Cu. Ft. | 1 year |
Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 | 1000 | 1.2 Cu. Ft. | 1 year 5 years magnetron tube (parts only) |
Breville Combi Wave 3 in 1 | 1100 | 1.1 Cu. Ft. | 1 year |
Cuisinart CMW-200 | 1000 | 1.2 Cu. Ft. | 3 years |
Sharp R1874T | 850 | 1.5 Cu. Ft. | 1 year 6 years magnetron tube (parts only) |
| Name | Price | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Toshiba EC042A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Oven with Convection, Smart Sensor,1.5 Cu.ft, Stainless Steel | Check Price |  |
| Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Inverter Microwave Technology, 1000W, 1.2 cu ft with Easy Clean Interior - NN-CD87KS (Stainless Steel) | Check Price |  |
| Breville BMO870BSS1BUC1 Combi Wave 3 in 1, Brushed Stainless Steel | Check Price |  |
| Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2-Cubic-Foot Convection Microwave Oven with Grill | Check Price |  |
| Sharp R1874T 850W Over-the-Range Convection Microwave, 1.1 Cubic Feet, Stainless Steel | Check Price |  |
Convection Microwave Oven Buyer’s Guide
There is a diverse range of convection microwave ovens, so buying the best one takes care and consideration.
Convection microwave ovens are available in stainless steel, black, and white finishes.
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best microwave convection oven.
Types of Convection Microwaves
There are three main types of convection microwaves, each with benefits and drawbacks. Budget, kitchen décor and cooking capability (power and features), and lifestyle are factors to consider when selecting the best convection microwave oven for your kitchen.
Countertop Convection Microwave Oven
If you are in the market for a portable and freestanding unit, the countertop convection microwave oven is a good option. Although affordability is a relative term, some models are available at a fair price point.
The portability is a nice benefit as it can easily be set on your kitchen countertop, a table, or a cart.
Over-the-range Convection Microwave Oven
An over-the-range convection microwave is an elegant solution for those who are short on space. It frees up counter space, giving you more room for meal preparation.
This convection microwave oven is designed to be mounted over a stove or cooktop. It usually comes with a built-in ventilation system that leads to an outside vent or recirculates air back into the kitchen. This exhaust fan removes smoke, steam, and cooking odors.
On the downside, they are not portable units and have a higher price than the countertop models.
Built-In Convection Microwave Oven
The last convection microwave oven type is the built-in convection microwave. They can be installed (may need professional installation) into the wall or a cabinet.
Some residential kitchens may not have room for this type of oven. They are more expensive than the countertop and over-the-range convection microwaves.
Size and Capacity
The amount of space you have in your kitchen should be considered, especially the countertop space if that is where you plan to locate it.
If you plan to buy a countertop convection microwave, measure the available space and select models for the short list that are within those dimensions.
When research over-the-range convection microwave ovens, measure the space above the oven. There should be at least 30 inches above the cooktop or range.
The alternative is an oven that is installed over the range. In either case, you must ensure you have the correct dimensions to know the limits of the size of the microwave oven that you can buy.
The capacity or internal dimensions of countertop ovens, such as convection microwave ovens is measured in cu. fit. This defines how much cooking space is available inside the oven.
The chart below gives the range of capacity of the various types of convection microwave ovens.
Dimension | Countertop | Over-the-range | Built-in* |
|---|---|---|---|
Cu ft. | .8-1.5 | 1.1-1.9 | 1.4-1.7 |
Width (inches) | 15.5 to 24.7 | 30 | 26.75-29.75 |
Depth | 14.2 to 21.75 | 15.3-18.5 | 21.5 |
Height | 10.9-14.9 | 16.3-17.5 | 19 |
Wattage | 850-1600 | 850-1500 | 900-1600 |
*Small sample size
Power
The power of a convection microwave oven is measured in Watts. The power of microwave convection ovens is usually between 600 and 1600 Watts. The higher the wattage, the quicker the food is heated.
Settings
Next, consider the range of cooking options (controls and settings) you want and whether you'd prefer lots of automatic presets or just a few basic ones. Preset functions for roasting, browning, and grilling are helpful.
There are considerable differences between products in terms of their functions, so not only do you want to know what these functions do, but you also need to decide whether you want them or not.
Other functions are reheating food and defrosting and preset shortcut keys for potatoes or popcorn.
Price
As with any purchase, there are price considerations, and the range can be significant with convection microwave ovens. No matter their income, everyone will have their view on what they are prepared to spend.
It’s also beneficial to determine ovens with the features you desire and then match them to the price you are willing to pay. Ensure the dimensions of the unit you are considering are suitable for where you plan to locate it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Microwave Convection Ovens
What is a Convection Microwave Oven?
A convection microwave oven combines a microwave oven with a regular convection oven.
You can bake and roast foods in addition to heating them and the crisping and browning of foods that you would get if you were cooking them in a regular oven.
Additionally, you have all the fast cooking functions of a standard microwave, including presets and defrost functions.
Convection microwave ovens tend to look like standard microwave ovens in that they are the same size and have similar power outputs. Their control panels and displays operate in much the same way too.
One aspect of convection microwave ovens that might be considered a negative is that they tend to have higher prices than standard microwave ovens. However, any extra cost is usually worth the additional cooking options of a convection microwave oven.
How Does a Convection Microwave Oven Work?
From a technical point of view, the microwaves that heat the food still do the same job they would do in a standard microwave oven.
In other words, microwaves induce the molecules in the food to rotate, and this rotation generates the thermal energy that heats the food. This makes microwave ovens a quick and convenient way to cook food.
Convection comes into the equation with the fan that operates within the oven. The fan forces the heat to move around the oven's interior, which causes the food to cook differently.
Instead of heating quickly and often not evenly throughout, the food cooks from the inside out, thus being more thoroughly and evenly cooked.
What are the Benefits of a Convection Microwave Oven?
As mentioned, microwave ovens usually are good at cooking food quickly, but this does have its drawbacks.
Often the food is not cooked thoroughly, or you might find parts of the food are very hot, with some parts still cold. Although this does not happen every time, it is a criticism that is sometimes made about cooking with microwave ovens.
With a convection microwave oven, all the issues we've just mentioned are dealt with, plus it allows for an even greater range of cooking types.
As a fan circulates air within the oven, the heat distribution is more even throughout. This means that food is being cooked evenly, and thus, you should not have the 'hot bits / cold bits' scenario.
Another benefit is that food tends to cook from the inside out rather than from the outside in by cooking food this way. This ensures that all parts of the food are cooked properly.
Convection microwaves also allow you to cook items that you would otherwise not be able to in a standard microwave.
For example, roasting meats such as pork, beef, or chicken is not usually possible in a microwave as it cooks them too quickly.
However, the evenly distributed heat within a convection microwave oven enables those meats to cook correctly.
Baking and grilling are other cooking types that can be done in a convection microwave, and thus, it gives a greater diversity of the types of foods you can cook.
Is a Convection Microwave Oven Worth the Money?
A convection microwave oven is an option if you want to cook a diverse range of foods with your microwave oven, including baking and roasts.
However, if all you need is to quickly heat meals, snacks, and leftovers with minimal effort, a smaller microwave oven will do that perfectly.
Apart from how they function, the price is one of the other differences between convection and standard microwave ovens. Here is a detailed article to help you decide if convection microwave ovens are worth the extra money.
Can I Bake in a Convection Microwave?
Yes, you can bake in a convection microwave oven.
When the convection function is operating, your microwave oven more or less bakes in the same way an ordinary oven does. In other words, heat is generated, in this case by the microwaves, and the convection fan evenly distributes that heat throughout the interior of the oven.
You will find the turntable in many convection microwaves can be removed. In these ovens, baked goods can be placed on racks.
There is no limit to what you can bake in a convection microwave oven - cakes, cookies, tarts, scones, bread, and pies, to name a few.
One quick tip you should note is that if you are baking with your convection microwave oven, you should preheat it, just as you would with an ordinary oven.
